Fire breaks out at Odisha hospital; no casualty

A major fire broke out at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Post Graduate Institute of Paediatrics (Sishu Bhawan) here today following which the patients were evacuated to safety.

Though there was no loss to life reported, the fire caused major damage to the medical equipment and other infrastructure of the NICU.

At least 22 neonatal patients admitted to the premier government-run facility were shifted to other wards of the hospital.

Fire tenders were rushed to the spot and engaged to contain the fire. The personnel acted swiftly to evacuate the patients preventing any damage to life.

However, one newborn sustained minor burns in the mishap, reports said.

While the real cause behind the fire is yet to be ascertained, electrical short circuit in the NICU is being suspected as the possible cause of the fire.

Meanwhile, Cuttack District Collector Nirmal Chandra Mishra ordered for a probe into the fire mishap at the NICU of Sishu Bhawan. The Collector directed the District Technical Committee to investigate the incident and submit the probe report within seven days. The Committee comprises of four officials who would inquire into the matter.

Later in the day, state Health Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak visited the hospital to take stock of the situation.

It may be recalled that a minor boy was killed in a major fire that broke out at the third floor of the new building of Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer Research Centre (AHRCRC) here on October 16.